14: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Heavy stones are first moved away from a cave that will become the tomb of Jesus, then after his body is gently laid there, the stones are carefully placed back.
The music draws from Wiewohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt from Bach's St Matthew Passion, the text of which (by Picander) is as follows:
Wiewohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt,
Daß Jesus von mir Abschied nimmt,
so macht mich doch sein Testament erfreut:
Sein Fleisch und Blut, o Kostbarkeit,
Vermacht er mir in meine Hände.
Wie er es auf er Welt mit denen Seinen
Nicht böse können meinen,
so liebt er sie bis an das Ende.
This may be translated as:
Though my heart in tears is swimming,
As Jesus takes His leave from me,
Yet His testament brings me joy:
His flesh and blood, O precious gift,
Bequeathed into my hands.
As in this world with His beloved
He could mean no harm,
So He loves them to the end.
“There was a righteous man named Joseph, who, though a Council member, had not agreed to their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He took him down, wrapped him in a linen cloth, and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. The sabbath was beginning. The women who came with him from Galilee saw the tomb, where his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.”
Luke 23:50-56
The women could not work or touch a dead body on the Sabbath, so they prepare to anoint Jesus' body as soon as the Sabbath is over...
Commentary by Revd Catherine Shelley